Testing Cooler pipeing

[lowlux]

Hey just wondering what u guys think the best way to find leaks in your pipeing as ive got some pinhole leaks that i need to find and fix once and for all. I thought about using a motorbike tube then cutting it in 1/2 then putting either end of it to the ends of the cooler pipeing then using s bike pump to pump up the air inside then see where the leaks are ya rekon this is a good idea???

[meggala]

why not put soapy water on the area you suspect?

[lowlux]

yeah but some leaks u can only find under higher pressure like about 5psi

[Clint32]

Best way would be to cut some tube 5cm long the same size as the cooler piping and block one end off (if you can weld properly), then drill a hole in one of the plates that you use and put a tyre valve in it. Then with the ends clamped in place you just pump it up like a tyre to 50psi and check after 10 mins and see if it has changed.

[Roy]

... im with Clint 32, put some pressure in it the way he described, but as air is compressible, the Pressure instrument wont really decay over a 10 minute time frame if the leak is minor.

If you were to spray soapy water over the piping as meggala suggested then this will froth up and aid detection

Or when you have some pressure in the tubes, dunk it in a bucket/tank of water.

If you were to pressurise if with water, as water isnt compressible, even the smallest drop/leak will result in significant pressure drops. If you can find a cheap valve from a plumber or something, the average garden hose can provide about 350-450kpa (3.5-4.5bar)

[lowlux]

hmmmm ill have a look tomorrow the easyiest would be to get the car under load to create boost then spray soapy water on it,maybe i should just do a burnout and get a mate to spray the water on it LOL

[YBSLO4]

Engineers when finding leaks use to block one end, put powder round any joins, chuck some red food dye on the other end and fit a screw on cap with a compressor plug to it, then turn the compressor on, filling it with around 20psi, if theres any leaks the powder goes red.

[Roy]

YBSLO4, that sounds like a dye pen check, yeh its a great wasy of seeing if welds etc are porous, fatigue cracks etc and allow a medium to leak.

I think a bubble test, a pneumatic test whilst submerged in a tub of water, is perhaps the easiest for the guy in his shed.

[YBSLO4]

Yerps for sure, forgot it was a backyard job, sorry dude. Just heard from a lot of experienced dude's that the dye test is very accurate., but spose its hard without the proper tools necessary.

[lowlux]

if i was at my old work i would have used the dye as we used it all the time,but i aint gonna buy the 2 or 3 cans of it that costs like $100 for the 1 job lol im gonna reado my top pipeing anyway its too long and i really think it will reduce lag a little if i change the way it is

[YBSLO4]

Piping definately is crucial to the overall flow characteristics of a cooler system. Designing the piping with minimal direction changes and shortest distance will ensure less lag and better flow.

[Lunatic Dancer]

lowlux...try this dude

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html

[Jay95R33]

Lunatic - good link thanks

Just one thing, if we do what they sugest and plug the inlet and pump air into the system, will the system hold preasure or will it leak out the valves?

My brain is going to sleep and I just can't think straight ATM.... LOL

J